Energy cost savings for Alaska resulting from the state updating its commercial and residential building energy codes in accordance with federal law are significant, estimated to be on the order of nearly $50 million annually by 2030.

The 2011 Building Energy Efficiency Standard (BEES) consists of the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and includes ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2010 Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings and state specific amendments.

Energy cost savings for Alaska resulting from the state updating its commercial and residential building energy codes in accordance with federal law are significant, estimated to be on the order of nearly $50 million annually by 2030.

State-financed residential housing must meet the BEES. BEES consists of the 2006 IECC and ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2004, Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings, as well as Alaska-specific amendments to both. BEES was adopted November 8, 2006, by the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation.

All public facilities must be designed to comply with the thermal and lighting energy standards adopted by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities under AS44.42.020(a)(14).

Proposed changes to the standards for residential buildings can be submitted to the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, which reviews and acts on the proposals. Public hearings are required before changes are adopted.

Builders demonstrate compliance with the BEES requirements by completing a standardized compliance form that is furnished with the mortgage package. The builder may choose one of the following methods to show compliance:

1) Inspection and certification by a registered architect, engineer, or International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) certified building inspector

2) State-approved home energy rating methods

3) Certification by a local building code official when the local energy code is at least as energy efficient as the BEES requirements

4 ) Certification by a builder who has taken the appropriate Building Science Training.

Depending on the method used, compliance may be certified by an energy rater, licensed architect, engineer, State of Alaska licensed new home inspector, contractor, building owner, or mechanical contractor (ventilation only) that meets the BEES Compliance Certification requirements.

The first BEES for the state of Alaska was introduced in 1985. Alaskan home builders filed an injunction to stop implementation; however, claiming that they did not have adequate opportunity to testify. The courts halted the implementation date pending a review. As part of that review, the state and home builders agreed to include the Home Energy Rating Method as a way to show compliance with the standard. BEES became effective on January 1, 1992. Residential buildings are now required to comply with BEES, which equates to a 4-plus star energy rating. Local jurisdictions are permitted to adopt other standards that meet or exceed the BEES requirements.

The BEES was updated effective April 1, 2007, to consist of the 2006 IECC and included:

Alaska-Specific Amendments to the 2006 IECC and ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2004, adopted November 8, 2006 by the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation.

BEES was updated again on February 9, 2010. The update mandated that residential housing constructed on or after February 9, 2010, meet the requirements of BEES 2010, which consisted of the 2006 IECC and included: